Nirvana, the state of liberation and freedom from all suffering, wants and desires. There are people that dedicate their whole lives to obtaining nirvana. Some take solemn oaths of asceticism in order to reach the nirvana state they desire so much, and yet nirvana eludes them. Is nirvana something to be pursued, or is it a state of being? How does one stop the repetitive cycle of rebirth? Is it possible? Nirvana has been achieved by some people. However, whether nirvana is something that should be pursued is often a topic that is up for debate.

The 8-Fold Path

Anyone that has studied Buddhism seriously knows the Eight Fold Path to Nirvana. This path is essentially eight “actions” that one is encouraged to incorporate into one’s life in pursuit of nirvana. These eight actions are not sequential. They are rather traits that a person can implement into their everyday life. The Eight Fold Path to Nirvana is as follows:

Right Understanding the ability to see reality for what it is (uncovering of ignorance)

Right Intent-commitment to path by deciding what you want (uncovering and removal of desires)

Right Speech-recognizing the importance of the power of words, truth and the avoidance of idle speech

Right Action-the importance of acting from a place of honesty and integrity in regards to all things

Right Livelihood-doing work that respects all life

Right Effort-the ability to hold a forward viewpoint that leads to conscious evolution

Right Mindfulness-being aware of the moment

Right Concentration-concentration on a fixed point

The Eight Fold Path is one that has the potential to change a person’s overall perception when it is done in a conscious manner. The issue, however, is when people strive to follow a path instead of becoming the path.

Release from Desires

Many of the actions taken by those pursuing nirvana involve releasing desires. These desires include everything from materialism to sex to fulfilling ego needs. Some people on this path become very fixated on being “pure”. There is a belief that purity will increase their chances of experiencing nirvana as all desires are the basis for endless suffering. However, consider that even the pursuit of “purity” is a desire. In some ways, it appears that those striving to release themselves from all desires to reach nirvana have only replaced their desires with being “desire-less” which some would say is still a desire.

Nirvana as a Journey-Becoming Instead of Striving

Perhaps nirvana is a journey. Perhaps it is not about reaching a specific point as so many believe it to be. Nirvana is a process. Again, The Eight Fold Path is not sequential. It is not linear. This is something that is very hard for people to understand particularly in a world that is dominated by left-brained thinking. There is a tendency to believe that if we do all the right things, and check them off the “list” that Nirvana will be granted. Instead of striving for nirvana why not see nirvana as a process of becoming.

Although many people believe that nirvana is something to pursue, perhaps Nirvana is a process of becoming and being. Perhaps if we would allow the process of Nirvana to happen and be guided through the process instead of seeing it as a goal to reach, the path to nirvana would naturally unfold. Much of what is being sought after would simply occur similar to the unfolding of a lotus flower.

The Pursuit of Nirvana

Nirvana, the state of liberation and freedom from all suffering, wants and desires. There are people that dedicate their whole lives to obtaining nirvana. Some take solemn oaths of asceticism in order to reach the nirvana state they desire so much, and yet nirvana eludes them. Is nirvana something to be pursued, or is it a state of being? How does one stop the repetitive cycle of rebirth? Is it possible? Nirvana has been achieved by some people. However, whether nirvana is something that should be pursued is often a topic that is up for debate.

The 8-Fold Path

Anyone that has studied Buddhism seriously knows the Eight Fold Path to Nirvana. This path is essentially eight “actions” that one is encouraged to incorporate into one’s life in pursuit of nirvana. These eight actions are not sequential. They are rather traits that a person can implement into their everyday life. The Eight Fold Path to Nirvana is as follows:

Right Understanding the ability to see reality for what it is (uncovering of ignorance)

Right Intent-commitment to path by deciding what you want (uncovering and removal of desires)

Right Speech-recognizing the importance of the power of words, truth and the avoidance of idle speech

Right Action-the importance of acting from a place of honesty and integrity in regards to all things

Right Livelihood-doing work that respects all life

Right Effort-the ability to hold a forward viewpoint that leads to conscious evolution

Right Mindfulness-being aware of the moment

Right Concentration-concentration on a fixed point

The Eight Fold Path is one that has the potential to change a person’s overall perception when it is done in a conscious manner. The issue, however, is when people strive to follow a path instead of becoming the path.

Release from Desires

Many of the actions taken by those pursuing nirvana involve releasing desires. These desires include everything from materialism to sex to fulfilling ego needs. Some people on this path become very fixated on being “pure”. There is a belief that purity will increase their chances of experiencing nirvana as all desires are the basis for endless suffering. However, consider that even the pursuit of “purity” is a desire. In some ways, it appears that those striving to release themselves from all desires to reach nirvana have only replaced their desires with being “desire-less” which some would say is still a desire.

Nirvana as a Journey-Becoming Instead of Striving

Perhaps nirvana is a journey. Perhaps it is not about reaching a specific point as so many believe it to be. Nirvana is a process. Again, The Eight Fold Path is not sequential. It is not linear. This is something that is very hard for people to understand particularly in a world that is dominated by left-brained thinking. There is a tendency to believe that if we do all the right things, and check them off the “list” that Nirvana will be granted. Instead of striving for nirvana why not see nirvana as a process of becoming.

Although many people believe that nirvana is something to pursue, perhaps Nirvana is a process of becoming and being. Perhaps if we would allow the process of Nirvana to happen and be guided through the process instead of seeing it as a goal to reach, the path to nirvana would naturally unfold. Much of what is being sought after would simply occur similar to the unfolding of a lotus flower.